The lights dim, the audience waits in anticipation and the speaker is introduced and takes the stage. Then something truly amazing happens. The speaker looks directly at you, yes you and makes eye contact. For that moment, though seated in a large audience you were engaged in a one on one conversation with the speaker.
How did that make you feel? My guess is that it made you feel important and gave you an uplifting experience that helped to create a connection between you and the speaker. If you want to be authentic, captivating and a successful speaker, effective eye contact is an important element to incorporate into your speaking skillset. But alas it is often the most understood and incorrectly used element in public speaking.
My five keys for making great eye contact are -:
• Make eye contact with as many people in the audience as possible –
Your goal should be to speak to each person for a complete thought or hold contact for three to five seconds. Use whatever seems most appropriate, but don’t overdo it, because focusing on one individual for too long could embarrass them.
• Your transition of eye contact from one person to the next should be as smooth and controlled as possible – Just as pauses can add impact, allow for reflection and variety in your controlled transitions from one person to the other.
• Speak with honesty, be authentic and believe in your message – Be genuinely interested in getting to know your audience. When you attempt to deceive, your eye movement will give you away.
• Be sure to move your whole head, and not just your eyes, when making eye contact.
• Smile when speaking, especially when beginning your speech –
Together with your eye contact, this will help your audience warm to you more quickly, while helping to soften your eye gaze.
Using effective eye contact will make a real difference in how your audience reacts to you and your message. As a speaker, you will also benefit from making deeper connections and gaining quality feedback from your audience
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